Vibriosis

408 cases in 2024 — near the 5-year baseline of ~761.

What is it?

Vibriosis is caused by non-cholera Vibrio bacteria, most commonly Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. NYS had 408 cases in 2024. While V. parahaemolyticus usually causes a self-limiting gastroenteritis, V. vulnificus can cause severe wound infections and bloodstream infections that are fatal in over 20% of cases, particularly in people with liver disease.

How it spreads

V. parahaemolyticus: from eating raw or undercooked shellfish (especially oysters) harvested from warm coastal waters during summer. V. vulnificus: from eating raw shellfish OR from wound contact with warm brackish or saltwater during summer months.

Symptoms

Gastroenteritis form: watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever within 24 hours of eating contaminated shellfish. Wound infection form: rapidly progressing skin infection, ulceration, and in severe cases, necrotizing fasciitis.

Who is at risk?

Anyone eating raw shellfish, but especially people with liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis), diabetes, or who are immunocompromised — these individuals face dramatically higher risk of severe V. vulnificus infection.

What you can do

Based on NYSDOH annual communicable disease report. Threat level reflects 2024 case counts compared to the 5-year baseline.